From Leopold's to River Street to taverns and pubs, you really can't go wrong with most of the attractions in the city. I'm probably missing a few key things, like the Bonaventure Cemetery or a city tour, but here are some of the places we hit to have a true Savannah experience:
1. Forsyth Park
Lined with impressively large oak trees, Forsyth Park is a great spot to visit for that beautiful Savannah scenery. The fountain is lovely and a place for every visitor to stop for a photo opportunity.
Not only is a walk in the park a relaxing thing to do, there is also a large confederate memorial to check out and tons of green space for sports. We didn't get a chance when we were there, but the park hosts the Farmer's Market every Saturday as well as several concerts at their outdoor theater.
It was really nice to walk around in the morning to take in some vitamin D, watch people walking their dogs, and playing with their kids at the playground.
2. City Market
This place is extremely touristy, but definitely a fun experience in the city. This section of Savannah spans a couple of blocks in the heart of the city and features several gift shops, restaurants, and art galleries. City Market is where many people get tickets to the trolley and walking tours, which are on a constant loop around Savannah.
The Prohibition Museum is also found in this part of the city and features its own little shop.
My favorite shops in this area include Byrd Cookie Company and Savannah's Candy Kitchen, which has a wall of candy, a chocolate wheel, and their famous pralines.
3. Leopold's Ice Cream
Situated next to the old theater, this old-timey ice cream parlor is a true Savannah treat and don't let anyone tell you differently! The history of the establishment combined with over 20 delicious home-made flavors, it's no wonder why the line for Leopold's wraps around the block.
The old time ice cream parlor vibe certainly matched the historic nature of Savannah, but the shop's past is the real reason people love it. Leopold's was founded by three Greek brothers in 1919 and served Savannah ever since with it's secret ingredients and dessert specialties.
In 2004, the now-owner and youngest son of one of the original brothers reopened the shop after he pursued his dream as a Hollywood producer. His experience in the movie business now translates to the move-centric décor within the shop.
Some of the workers around town regard Leopold's as overrated and touristy, but as a non-native and ice cream lover, I believe this place is a must!
4. Historic Squares
I touched on this a little in my last blog post, but these little squares are so adorable and provide some historic insight to visitors of Savannah. There are 24 squares around the city and each one has it's own information, surrounding historic sites, and unique landscapes.
Jake and I did visit all of the squares and learned about each one. Here are a few fun facts: Crawford Square is the only recreational square, it has a basketball court and a pretty gazebo. Chippewa Square is famous, because the bus stop scene in Forrest Gump was filmed there. Johnson Square lacks Spanish moss, like all of the others, which some say is a definite sign of haunting. Our ghost tour guide said that many people suspect the Spanish moss won't gross their due to the innocent blood spilled there in years pasts... very creepy.
Of you consider the plaques boring or dull, the squares provide some amazing scenery and beautiful houses. Reynolds Square, for example, is a beautiful resting spot as well as the location for the famous Old Pink House. If you are a visitor, this is a fun little activity and it kind of feels like a scavenger hunt to hit all of the squares.
5. Ghost Tour
We specifically did a Haunted Pub Crawl, but I'm sure any ghost tour around the city would be just as fun and spooky. Established in 1733, Savannah is one of the oldest American cities. In the early days, the city was plagued with fires, wars, and disease. Many of these resulted in gruesome deaths, which we all know means that ghosts stick around to this day...
Our tour guide told tales of bar owners trapping sailors and killing them or selling them to the slave trade in the very basement we were sitting in. He told us about couples who were reported to be poisoned by wine, only to be found dead on the floor in what is now Abe's on Lincoln (this happened not only once, but three times!)
Another story was of a young indentured servant who was forced into marriage with her 60 year old master. The old man threw his teenage wife from the window of one of the rooms, because she fell in love with a sailor and became pregnant. The young ghost playfully haunts the bar and inn by stealing makeup and trying it on. This has resulted in many woman in the inn reporting a thief, only to find their things in front of the mirror in the bathroom.
Our guide also gave us a good general history lesson of the horrors that once filled Savannah. The cotton factories on the river burned several times and many people were trapped inside those buildings. Poor evacuation planning and factories built primarily of wood, stuffed to the brim with cotton, made this area very dangerous.
Savannah has many connected tunnels running underneath the city. Some of those tunnels were used for unethical businesses. Some were used as a place to store bodies and those who suffered from Yellow Fever. There are some pictures above of a tunnel we walked into, which is rumored to host little ghostly orbs if you take a photo with a camera.
I definitely recommend doing one of these tours ($20-$25) for the intrigue and spook factor. It really brings to life the old historic tales in a place that looks naturally creepy with the mossy trees and colonial buildings.
6. Wormsloe Plantation
This historic site is the most popular place to get photos of your Savannah vacation. And don't get me wrong, it is beautiful... but it isn't worth $10 per person...
The Wormsloe Plantation is a historic estate 15 minutes outside of the city. It is a 500 acre estate with an area demonstrating colonial living, a small museum about its history, and the oldest standing structure in Savannah. It has long walking trails, which is probably much more enjoyable when it isn't the middle of the summer!
Although the pictures are gorgeous, the site isn't the most fun activity we've done here. I would have loved to see a massive plantation, but the owners live on the premises which is private property.
Probably the coolest thing about this site, other than the mile stretch of oaks, is the history of the Wormsloe family. Inside the museum there is a wall with information about Noble Jones and his wish for his descendants to preserve his estate "for ever."
7. "The Sistine Chapel of the South"
This work of art is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. It's history dates back to the 1800s and a little before as an original place for colonial Roman Catholics. For more information about the cathedral click here.
Jake and I have visited a bunch of churches and cathedrals in our travels, especially over in Europe. This one does have the magnificent intricacies in every crevice much like those from the Renaissance. If you are looking for historical beauties, this cathedral shows just that. The massive ceilings, organ, and artwork on every wall is astounding.
Let me know if you've ever explored Savannah! What are your favorite sites? How was the Bonaventure Cemetery?!
I would love to hear your travel experiences in this pretty, green place!
-KB